Mother raped in devious DRC hospital attack

From JEAN KASSONGO in Kinshasa, DRCKINSHASA, (CAJ News) – NURSES and new mothers are fleeing hospitals in conflict-prone zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in fear of rape by armed groups.
Some of these vicious groups are led by former national army officers.The move by women follows the rape of a lactating woman who had fled possible attacks in her home, fearing for her baby’s safety, only to be raped when radicals attacked the Lulimba Hospital Centre in South Kivu province in the disorderly eastern regions.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said following the incident, other women, including four nurses,had fled the facility.
“They fear that they will be the next targets of rape by the militants groups,” said a spokesperson.
It is feared the perpetrators of the rape case are members of the
Mayi-Mayi Yakutumba militia.
They are involved in running clashes with the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC).
The militia group is among national and foreign armed groups rendering eastern DRC ungovernable. Other groups are run by retired officers from FARDC.
The strong militarization of the area due to the FARDC operations against these various armed groups is also a source of insecurity for the civilian population.
The ensuing clashes have displaced 400 households since the beginning of July.
The militancy coincides with President Joseph Kabila clinging to power despite the lapse of his mandate late last year.
Militants have overpowered security personnel at some jails and freed criminals.– CAJ News